Bathtub Shower Wall

Bathtub Shower Wall – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can often be difficult. Should you install acrylic, a good surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the caliber of they stand quality of your energy? Which one is the foremost match on your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is good for you.

Step 1 – Determine if you’d like to look at your existing walls – To cut costs it’s nice to put a bathtub or shower wall surround over a current surface. It is possible to use specialized glue or butyl tape to adhere acrylic or Swanstone solid surface materials over existing tile provided that the existing walls usually are not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not at all possible to place new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the existing system will have to removed, new backerboard installed then new walls put up.

Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you need to get the most value on your money – a top quality material which won’t hurt you wallet. If you are considering a simple to scrub cost-effective material acrylic is a great choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and features a lifetime warranty.

For an even more elegant appearance (that’s for sale in more decorative patterns and fashions) think about Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is easy to keep up, does not have any joints to grout or seal and will come in a multitude of choices. Usually the most expensive product is tile (if you do not are able to install it yourself and save the labor hours- tile is the most frustrating to setup vs. sheet products like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile plus it creates an elegant look too.

Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you want – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you’re ready choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds come in a variety of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic as well as marble finishes. In addition the walls you select could be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or perhaps a stone look. Acrylic is not really just a white smooth faced wall.

Swanstone, while it may be noted for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and the fact it will not crack or craze – has a very broad range of decorative options too. There are over 45 standard, shiny, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to create unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to make a finished look. Tile provides widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to choose a high density water-resistant tile on your bath or shower.

Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material plus the truth of tile finish the face from the wall- What you can’t locate in a very bathtub or shower wall panel project can be as important as whatever you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls will be in very good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save money on landfill costs, reduce the project installation some time and cut costs. If the existing wall is not installed over put up moisture resistant green board or perhaps a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if the tile is good structural shape install within the existing. If not, Swanstone could be installed over greenboard or perhaps a cement board using special glue.

Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a great deal of wasted money historically (cheap backer board may have been used, poor grouting jobs, poor are employed in the corners are just a few from the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use the water-resistant cement board or perhaps a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this produced from Wedi Corporation. These boards must be glued and screwed to your framing. In addition to while using right backer board consider investing in a very urethane grout. This type of grout won’t have to be resealed and is also waterproof. Although it costs more beforehand it will cut costs as time goes on within the have to regrout, or worse yet the have to redo the shower if you have any water damage.

Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to solve an inadequate performing shower valve, a shower head that’s too low, or to add backer material to boost setting up your accessories happens when you’ve got the wall opened.

Step 6 – Identify the bathtub tub and shower accessories you need to add function and style to your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, most seat, a curved shower rod to keep the river in, a hand held shower, most caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or perhaps a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the best time for it to accessorize your bath or shower to make it be right for you and your family.

Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a professional contractor that isn’t a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are a lot of choices and installation details that have to be done right to make certain an effective project. Calling a professional might be more costly within the short term but save you lasting costs. Make sure to select a contractor which doesn’t make an effort to push you to the one kind of shower or bath wall surround system they sell (for example a company selling acrylic systems pushes this place solution for you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems that can attempt to understand your preferences, budgets and tastes and still provide different alternatives.

Know you’re furnished with 7 steps that can function as good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.